ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
USCIS Service Centerswhen is a good time to phone about my I-130?

It has only been 1 month since I received my NOA1 so I know it's a little soon but I'm dying to know which field office it is going to be processed at so I can get an idea on time scales.

 

I'm hoping it will be processed at the national centre as we both live abroad and used that address as our main one, but the address we intend to live in Texas so from what I understand it's possible it could be routed to an office there as well?

 

Anyway, what would be a good amount of time to call and get an answer about this? and I understand you need to request a tier 2 representative to answer?

 

thanks for any help!


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-26 07:18:00
USCIS Service CentersOverland Park .... Is it even real ???

there's a June filer who's NOA1 had overland park, kansas as the address on it and he was approved just the other day. See the June 2013 filers post.


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-17 06:49:00
United KingdomDCF London I-130 for IR1/CR1 Spouse guide

I don't know if this is helpful but this is new information:

 

The document form checklist DS-2001 is no longer in use.

http://london.usemba...gov/ds2001.html

Use online the Notification of Readiness form (this is based on the website via the link below at the bottom of the webpage)

http://london.usemba....ness_form.html





 

I submitted my I-130 yesterday so I would be happy to keep you updated on the steps I will have to go through in order for the DCF London instructions to be accuarte!


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-23 06:51:00
United KingdomSpouse interview at London Embassy after medical. Who arranges it?
Can you also call the DOS to enquire about a case number? Most people are receiving their case number a few days to 2 weeks from their approval date in London but we have been waiting 5 weeks for our case number!
maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-01-04 05:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsvisa approved

congrats that is such great news! Just had a look at your timeline and you got through the process so quickly! I'm really regretting not realising we could file at the London embassy until after our application was sent off. you must be so relieved to be done with this!


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-26 07:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsUSC Abroad 1-130 filers for Chicago Lockbox

I'm a USC living in the UK with a NOA1 date of 10 June. I am phoning the USCIS to see about cancelling my application and reapplying through DCF as I just realised I'm eligible for this and it seems to be a much quicker process. I'm ready to get on with our lives in the US.


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-17 10:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWorkload transfers. NBC-> Service Centers

this is an absolute disgrace. Why are they JUST NOW transferring these petitions? I'm so angry there's no chance of me being optimistic at this point and I'm just a June filer, I have no idea how people who filed at the beginning of the year are coping. What's even worse is there's no one to really direct your anger towards it's like you pay them $420 and they get to do whatever they want!

 

I'm totally fed up, I just sent another I-130 to the London Embassy and I'm going to go the DCF route. It's a shame the government gets so much money for these applications and then just screws people around.

 


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-22 07:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNVC Filers - June 2013

RFE = request for evidence. It's when they ask for more documents or a correction on a form. We just got one from nvc for writing "1" instead of "2" - frustrated is not the word!

Couldn't you file for DCF?
You could also try to request an expidite because your visa is running out? Some people say you can't request expedite unless its life or death - but I don't believe that. If you don't ask you don't get!


 

Yes, I would be so frustrated at such a small error! Right before we sealed our envelope we looked back over the form and I had written his birthday wrong (put our wedding date as they are so close together and I was so sick of writing dates!) and we also realized I had put my birthday in the day-month instead of month-day form. I've already been living and working in Britain for too long! haha

 

and Jenny thank you for that amazing reply! I have a feeling I will be living on these boards in the coming months, what a lovely community to have! I am so sorry to hear you aren't able to be with your husband during this time, the prospect of being apart is what is giving me the most anxiety about this entire situation! 

 

it's good to know there are phone numbers and people you can chase up to help this process along I will be watching it like a hawk!


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-18 07:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNVC Filers - June 2013

Mayb,

Our I-130 took about 2.5 months to be approved, that was with no RFE's. I have seen ppl on this forum who have taken 8 months to get approved, but ours was quite straight forward (married 18 months, lived together in UK for 12 months).

We sent it to Chicago lockbox but found out later it was actually forwarded and processed in the Baltimore field office. I wasn't aware that the case number told you where it was. Mine started the same as yours.



 

what are RFE's? this is really uplifting to read! We've been married for about 18 months and have lived together in the UK for about 18 months, so we have pretty similar cases! If we are as lucky as you we could hopefully be looking for an interview by October/November time? 

 

I'm not quite sure if the case number does or not but I feel like I read that somewhere. Do you know what your case number started with?


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-18 07:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNVC Filers - June 2013

My I-130 application was received on June 10. When I go to the USCIS website and enter my case number (it starts with MSC) it gives me the option to check processing times but only for the Vermont Service Center. If my case number starts with MSC doesn't that mean it went to a different location?

 

It is still showing that the USCIS National Average processing time for the I-130 is 6.6 months. How much longer on average after the acceptance of the I-130  does it take to get your interview? I'm guessing it all depends on case by case basis?

 

I'm also a little worried, my package was very black and white, just giving them exactly what was asked for on the I-130 directions. I did not include a cover letter or anything. I'm really nervous now that this will come back to us.

 

I was reading somewhere on this boards that if you file at the Chicago Lockbox facility from abroad with an international address your case may be expedited. Are people still seeing this happening?

 

I don't think any of these questions can really be answered. I'm just so stressed out and so ready to move back home and my UK visa expires in January and we aren't looking to extend it. This is an incredibly frustrating situation and all our fault because we didn't start the processes sooner! 


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-18 06:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)

June 10th filer here. Got an email on Wednesday, December 11 saying that our I-130 petition was transferred to a local office. My husband and I both live in the UK and have decided to file DCF and we had to send in a letter requesting our current I-130 in the US be cancelled but it appears they have not processed our request yet and our I-130 in the US is still active.


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-12-16 04:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)

Well Rudyzn now that you have your approval I sincerely hope your case was not expedited! haha


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-16 07:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)

many, MANY congrats Rudyzn!!! You must be over the moon with this news!!!!

 

I'm feeling quite disheartened however knowing that you requested an expidite so it makes me wonder what kind of wait we are in for if we did not request an expidite.

 

I'm really regretting my decision to not do DCF. I'm highly considering if we don't have our NOA2 by early December to cancel our application and re-apply through DCF as it looks like people are getting approved within 30 days or less:

 

http://britishexpats...=763941&page=13

 

I'm leaving the UK at the end of January and it breaks my heart to think my husband could possibly be months behind in joining me.


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-16 05:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)

I'm afraid we will be getting an RFE as well as I signed both g325-a documents and my husband was actually supposed to sign the one with his information on it. I did not do my research well at all!


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-11 03:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)

wow, just read the last few pages of the Febraury post and it's really, really depressing.

 

I'm really angry at myself for not researching things well enough, I could have applied at the London embassy which from my understanding would not have taken as long. Is it worth it to try and cacnel our application and resend it to London?


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-28 10:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)

I know the K1 filers are sharing their happiness, not trying to rub it in or brag, but the daily posts on the front page gleefully declaring how quick and easy the process was for them... well, we could definitely use some of that luck smile.png Starting with the poor February CR1 filers! Really hoping things get better next month, August has been an awful slog.

 

that is terrible to hear the February filers are still waiting on their NOA2!


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-28 09:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)

My husband is bugging me to call however I get the feeling they will just keep telling me to wait so it's a waste of time!

 

However, I did find someone who is willing to sponsor my husband so I suppose in the meantime I can get started on that paper work!


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-26 07:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)

Thanks for the updated list Ivy! As for your husband's mishap, good luck smile.png The petitioner handles all the contact with USCIS anyway, so it makes double sense to have him do the worrying and sort what needs to be done. Wishing all the best for you!

 

I also used my notice date, although the priority date was only one day earlier, so I don't think it would make a ton of difference. We're cruising up on 2.5 months since NOA1, and while it's impossible to know how much longer it'll be, it's kind of nice to remind myself that we've got these days stacked up behind us already no matter what.

 

Yes thanks Ivy and good luck with your file! Hopefully it won't cause too much trouble.

 

and I know what you mean BOS but your'e right, at least we have 2 months officially behind us now... if we've made it this long then......!!!

 

I will jump for joy when someone in this post finally gets some news!


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-21 11:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)

aw Ivy my heart goes out to you! Everyday I look at my husband and think how lucky we are to be together. We're both kind of struggling at the moment, both in jobs we hate but can't change, living with the in-laws ready to pull our hair out and my family and friends text me everyday how much they miss us and wish we could just hurry and move back. I just have to keep remind myself and my husband that we have our health and we are together.

 

we should all at least be a month into this thing by now, just need to stay patient!

 

 


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-03 14:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)
13.3 months?! How is that possible?!
maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-21 14:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)

Ivy I've had the same issues, the USCIS website doesn't list anything for I-130's in any of the local field offices. It seems some April filers are getting NOA2's which gives me some hope!


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-17 10:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)

Ivy if my application goes to a local field office I'll also be at San Antonio! I applied from abroad though so not sure yet. Have you done any research on what the San Antonio processing times are like?

 

also, I'm a bit confused, after recieving the NOA2, say you have all your paper work prepared and ready to go and there are no hiccups, how long is the NVC to interview processing time? 

 

my UK visa runs out in January, at this rate looks like I will definitely have to leave my husband behind :(


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-17 05:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)

I noticed earlier today that my VJ estimate, which started at mid Oct-mid Nov, is now late Nov-late Dec sad.png I don't think I'll let myself check it much going forward. There's nothing to do but get through the wait as patiently as possible -- until the 5 month mark, at which point I can start demanding answers wink.png

 

I just checked and mine has been pushed back to Nov - late Dec as well, so frustrating :(

 

also, when I check my time line it says my embassy is Armenia, does anyone know why my timeline keeps defaulting to this?


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-16 08:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)

The list is great! fingers crossed for all of us. I'd love to be back by Christmas, but regardless I'll be back by the end of January because my UK visa expires then. tomorrow is offically one month since we received our NOA1. My heart can't take this waiting game!


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-09 02:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)

I am a fellow June filer (got my NOA-1 on June 10). Been stalking earlier months and a lot of February filers are beginning to get their NOA-2's which is like 4 to 5 month wait but it looks like a few may have been at the NYC office.

 

I've seen a few filers from earlier in the year get their NOA-2 in like 2 to 3 months, I hope I'm one of these lucky ones! Our main address is our address here in the UK so I've heard this can help.

 

I know I need to be patient and should just be thankful that we are actually together through this process but I'm so home sick and ready to start our lives!


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-03 10:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)
That is fantastic advise, thank you!
maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-13 08:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)
Thanks for the explanation makes reading these post a lot easier!

It's unfortunate to hear about the waiting time, my UK visa is expiring in January and we generally just want to move on and get settled.

I only recently found out that we could have applied through London. Would this have made the process a bit quicker? Any way to change it at this point?




maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-13 08:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)
Hello! I am married to a British citizen and we are filing from over here! Out package arrived in Chicago on the 8th of June and got the email this morning, 13th of June that it has been routed to the USCIS National Benefits Center for processing.

Could someone explain to me what NOA1 and NOA2 means?

Also, any idea of how long applications are taking at the centre mine has gone on to? We really want to be back to the states by the end of the year if possible!




maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-13 05:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOctober 2013 I-130 Filers

mayb - will they let me know if we need a sponsor because I have been living outside the US for ten years?

 

You will need a sponsor as you have no earned any income in the US in the past few years. A sponsor basically ensures the following, "This form is required for most family-based immigrants and some employment-based immigrants to show that they have adequate means of financial support and are not likely to rely on the U.S. government for financial support" See this link http://www.uscis.gov/i-864 for the full information.

 

The sponsor will basically agree to pay back any money your partner gets from going on welfare for 10 years. They have to make a certain percentage above the poverty line, like for Texas I think it's over $18,000 or somewhere around there. My best friend's husband is sponsoring my husband. He will have to provide us with a tax transcript from the IRS for the past 3 years, a letter from his employer stating the type of employment, his wage, start date, etc. 

 

Even though you don't meet the criteria for sponsoring your husband (unless you have a certain amount of assets, you would have to do more research on that) you will still have to fill out an I-864 and provide your tax transcripts for the past 3 years.

 

That's roughly the idea I'm not an expert though just feeling through this thing as I go! haha I will definitely be following your time line!


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-24 11:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOctober 2013 I-130 Filers

Thanks BP for the links. I wonder why it is quicker? (I'm not complaining of course!) Do you know of anyone on the forum here in the UK that has recently done the I 130 paperwork to move to the USA ? I am curious as to see how long it took them. I will check out the links and see what I can find. ...

 

I just filed an I-130 at the London Embassy, it arrived yesterday now just waiting on my NOA1. From seeing other people's experiences, especially on the Britishexpats.com forum (http://britishexpats...isplay.php?f=35) it appears people are getting through the entire process from 3 to 4 monhts.

 

While you're waiting for your NOA2 your partner can obtain their criminal background check at http://www.acro.police.uk/ for the UK and you will also need one from any other country your spouse lived in for more than 12 months I believe.

 

You should also start preparing your I-864 (http://london.usembassy.gov/i864.html) you will probably need someone in the US to sponsor your spouse because you've been in the UK so long. However, you will also need to fill out an I-864 so make sure that you're up to date with your US tax returns even if you haven't earned any income there in a few years.

 

Hopefully I've explained this correctly but definitely check out British Expats forum or the DCF board on here.

 

this is someone who submitted their I-130 to the embassy at the end of August: http://britishexpats...ad.php?t=807681


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-24 05:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLiving in the UK, 1 1/2 months still no receipt

 
Like, totally nothing? No receipt that they'd received it?


Nothing and we filled in the form to receive electronic notification. We used our address is the UK on all of our forms. Should I try calling them?

maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-12 12:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLiving in the UK, 1 1/2 months still no receipt

Hello all! This is just the kind of place I have been searching the internet high and low for!

 

I am living in the UK, and have done so for a year 1/2 but somehow missed the fact that we could have applied through the embassy in London.

 

I sent my I-130 to the Chicago Lockbox facility about a month and a 1/2 ago, but still have no heard anything. Should I be worried?


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-12 10:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWrong signature on one of the G-325A forms

I (the petitioner) signed both of the G-325A forms for our I-130 application and now I realise my husband should have signed the G-325A form with his information on it. Will this make a difference? Would it be worth phone about this or should I wait until they come back to me?


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-01 09:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPre-prepared Documents

Thanks Katie! I found the link for British back ground checks (http://www.acro.poli...rtificates.aspx in case anyone with a similar question is following this post!) seems pretty straight forward. I think we will start this as soon as possible just to have one less thing checked off on our to do list!

 

Question, do you and your partner both live in the UK? You have filed two months before me so it will be interesting to follow your timeline!

 

I'm really frustrated seeing that my partner will have to go down to London to get his medical and pay £235!!!!!!!!!!! then travel back up just to wait for an interview date and then go back!

 

this is such a frustrating process.


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-01 09:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPre-prepared Documents

I changed my timeline, I'm not sure how Armenia got in there! My husband is British born and has lived here his entire life.

 

Katie that's good to know, was it a long process getting it? what about your medical?


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-01 03:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPre-prepared Documents

"have you researched ap/administrative processing?  or the likelihood of mandatory ap?  that would be something to research as well in order to set your expectations"

 

Sorry, I'm not quite sure what that means, could you elaborate?

 

and thanks for the advice I didn't think to check the London Embassy Website that should be much more specific and helpful to our case. 


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-30 11:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPre-prepared Documents

Hello,

 

I am working to prepare as many documents as I can while we wait for our NO2. Just wanting to see what I can work on gathering/ask a few questions:

 

1. I take it I can start working on the I-864. As we both live in the United Kingdom I won't be able to sponsor my spouse, however, my dad will be doing this. I still have to fill out an I-864 package, correct? Also, I lived in the UK for all of 2012 and have no yet filed a US tax return. Would it be advisable to do this right away?

 

2. Is it too soon so work on getting the police check done? Also, how do you go about it? I was on travel.state.gov and it said the following: "Applicants will find further guidance and application forms here." however, that link is no longer valid so I'm not sure if we just go into the police station and ask for a background check?

 

Is there anything else we can do while we wait? 


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-30 11:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864 by email

I'm attempting to have everything lined up to go by the time that my NOA2 arrives but no matter show many guides I read I still find myself so confused.

 

1. I have been living abroad for 2 years so I am unable to sponsor my husband, however, am I still required to submit an I-864?

 

2. A family friend has offered to do this so my question is can he submit the I-864 by email? I found this here for our family friend:

 

http://travel.state..../info_3197.html

 

 

If none of the above apply
 
Complete an I-864 (and possibly an I-864A) on your computer using CAPITAL letters.
Note: you need form I-864P to complete the I-864
 
Review the Form I-864 Checklist (and possibly the Joint Sponsor?s Checklist and the Household Member?s Checklist)
Print the completed form(s), and
Attach the bar code sheet and mail them to the NVC unless you have joined the E-Mail Electronic Processing program, then? 
Scan the I-864 to Portable Document Format (PDF) and send it as an e-mail attachment to NVCElectronic@state.gov. Sending physical documents to the NVC will delay the processing of your case. When sending completed forms to the NVC do not include instruction pages or any other sheets which do not carry information you entered while completing the form.
 
Has anyone sent this form by email? If so, how do you join the email electronic processing program?

maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-01 07:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan we move to the US while we wait on approval?

Just revisitnig this post as I'm still unclear why we can't apply for a K-3 visa which seems like it's purpose is to allow your spouse to wait with you in the US during the process?


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-15 10:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan we move to the US while we wait on approval?

He can come and visit you for as long as the VWP allows (assuming he has that).  He won't be able to live in the USA until he has an appropriate visa allowing him entry to do so.

 

If it was that easy - everyone would go to the USA to await their visa. smile.png

 

How long have you been living in the UK and on what visa?  I'm curious as to why you're not doing DCF.

 

I've been living here for almost 2 years on a 2 year spousal visa (not sure the exact name for it). I have the option to apply for a long term visa here and then eventually citizenship but we both realize we would rather build up a life in the US.

 

We didn't do DCF because I didn't do my research and didn't find this place until much later! 

 

I'm so homesick but at this point I think I would rather be with my husband than not so the bad news is we will just have to ride this out and the good news is we are together and can both work at least until the end of January. 


maybFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-01 06:06:00